Breakbulk Middle East returns on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 and Thursday, 5 February 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The venue’s main contact line is +971 4 389 3999, and you can also use 800 DWTC (3982) for visitor help. Organiser services for onsite orders and support list 800 655 and +971 4 389 3899 as additional assistance lines. Show doors open at 10:00am, running to 6:00pm on Wednesday and 5:00pm on Thursday. The exhibition footprint focuses on Halls 5, 6, 7, 8 and the Pavilion, and you typically enter via Exhibition Plaza or Convention Gate.
A decade of heavy lift business in one place
This 2026 edition marks ten years of Breakbulk Middle East as a regional meeting point for project cargo and breakbulk work, especially oversize and heavy-lift movements. The show targets EPCs, industrial manufacturers, project owners, carriers, ports, and specialist service providers, so conversations usually stay practical and deal-focused. Meanwhile, organisers position the scale at more than 10,500 industry professionals from over 125 countries, which helps explain why the corridors feel busy even when you stay disciplined with meetings. If you want quick introductions that lead to real follow-ups, this is the kind of show that rewards a tight schedule.
Who should attend and who should skip it
Breakbulk Middle East is designed for trade and business professionals, so it suits logistics teams, operations leads, procurement, sales, and project planners (suitable for solo, suitable for couples in the same industry). The organiser notes that the general public and anyone under 18 cannot enter, so it is not a family day out and it does not work for children. However, if you come as a first-timer, you can still do well by choosing one sector focus first, then expanding once you learn the hall rhythm. Plan for purposeful networking rather than casual browsing, and you will get more value fast.
A simple plan for two show days
Start Wednesday, 4 February 2026 as your wide-scan day, because you can map the halls and shortlist exhibitors early while calendars still feel flexible. Then, keep Thursday, 5 February 2026 for second meetings, technical clarifications, and pricing structures, because the shorter closing window encourages tighter agendas. Meanwhile, if you want to avoid registration queues, you can pick up and print badges during the earlier registration windows, including Tuesday, 3 February 2026 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, and then from 8:00am on show mornings. If you lock three to five priority meetings before you arrive, the show becomes much easier to navigate.
Education Day and the career pipeline
A highlight this year is Education Day on Thursday, 5 February 2026, which connects students and educators with industry professionals and real-world project scenarios. The organiser schedule for the student and faculty programme lists 9:00am to 2:00pm, and it runs as a structured experience rather than a casual walk-through. Students and faculty follow the programme agenda, and they do not get full general access outside that format, so it works best as a guided introduction to the sector. Meanwhile, for companies that hire early talent, the day can also act as a practical visibility moment without a long commitment.
Add-ons that change the networking style
Your core visitor entry can be free with approved registration, so many attendees treat the main show as the foundation and then add targeted experiences. Women in Breakbulk includes a luncheon on Wednesday, 4 February from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, and the organiser lists luncheon tickets at US$65, which is approximately AED 240, depending on conversion at the time. Meanwhile, several workshops sit outside the standard ticket, and they require an additional fee, so you should decide early if you want hands-on learning versus pure exhibitor meetings. If you have limited time, a single paid session can be more useful than extra wandering hours.
Getting to DWTC from across the UAE
Because Dubai World Trade Centre sits on Sheikh Zayed Road, driving in from nearby Emirates can feel straightforward, yet peak flows still build around morning arrivals and late afternoon exits. From Abu Dhabi, the venue guidance highlights inbound options such as E11 and E311, while Sharjah routes often include E11 and E311 as common choices, so you can pick based on where you start and how you want to avoid congestion. However, the easiest low-stress option is often the Dubai Metro, since DWTC has a dedicated station and you can walk in without parking loops. If you drive, arrive earlier than you think on Wednesday morning, because Hall 5 to 8 activity concentrates arrivals.
Practical transport, weather, and entry notes for show week
Dubai’s outlook looks comfortable for both show days, with mostly sunny weather on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 around 23°C, then plenty of sunshine on Thursday, 5 February 2026 around 24°C, so light clothing works outside while a thin layer helps indoors. Meanwhile, DWTC transport guidance notes broad options including metro access, taxis, and multiple car parks, and it also lists 7,530 parking spaces across paid and free areas, yet big events can still fill the closest sections quickly. Standard visitor registration is free and runs through BREAKBULK MIDDLE EAST OFFICIAL REGISTRATION, while add-ons such as workshops and Women in Breakbulk carry extra fees, so treat any door pricing as approximately and subject to change. Finally, as the editor tone at www.few.ae would put it, the smartest Breakbulk visit comes from arriving early, locking your top meetings first, and letting the hall flow guide the rest.
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